Best & Worst Players From Roma's Loss to SPAL 2013

Roma failed miserably Saturday when it was presented with a golden opportunity to pick up points on one or both of the Milan sides in the race for the top 4. In Claudio Ranieri’s second match in charge, an injury depleted Roma side were outplayed by relegation fighting SPAL for the second time this season. Few players saved face for the Giallorossi in another miserable defeat, so instead of a Man of the Match piece, let’s look at the top players and flops from this match.

Top Performers

Edin Dzeko

Photo by Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images

Dzeko battled hard for Roma winning 8 aerial battles. The Big Bosnian had 5 shots, 3 of which were on goal. He drew the penalty converted by Perotti that leveled the match at one. Later, he nearly pulled Roma level again, but he was robbed by Emiliano Viviani. A solid game for today’s captain.

Nicolò Zaniolo

Photo by Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images

Zaniolo was brought on at half for the nearly non-existent Justin Kluivert to inject some energy into a struggling attack. He did just that. Zaniolo made the key pass that led to Roma’s game tying PK and was involved in some other dangerous build up play.

Diego Perotti

Photo by Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images

Like Zaniolo, the Argentine was brought on at the half to help a sputtering O. Perotti had a nice half scoring the tying penalty and contributing a solid offensive performance. Perotti finished with a shot on goal, two key passes, three successful dribbles and drew two fouls. One wonders if this game would’ve turned out differently if Zaniolo and Perotti started.

The Flops

Juan Jesus

Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

After scoring last week on a lovely header (oh wait...that was an own goal), Juan Jesus against was again responsible for an opposition goal. This time JJ conceded the penalty that turned out to be the SPAL winner when he fouled Andrea Petgana in the 57th minute. Another woeful performance from the Brazilian.

Rick Karsdorp

Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images

With Alessandro Florenzi suspended, the Dutchman got the call at the right back. Karsdorp was nothing but a spectator as Mohamed Fares skied over him for SPAL’s first goal. A forgettable game for Slick Rick.

Federico Fazio & Ivan Marcano

Photo by Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images

While the two center backs didn’t have an awful game neither did well to cut out the SPAL attack that led to the winning PK. Also, despite winning seven aerial balls, Fazio could’ve done better on Fares’ goal, as he, like Karsdorp, was ball watching.

Bryan Cristante

Photo by Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images

A meh performance from Cristante in a match where the squad needed him to boss the midfield. The Italian was caught out of a position a few times as he committed four fouls and didn’t contribute much on either side of the ball.